OREANDA-NEWS. The former president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said that the economic crisis can create conditions to “force Russia to leave Donbass and Crimea.”

According to the politician, the opportunity “to strengthen international solidarity and force Russia to leave Donbass and Crimea, fulfilling the obligations that were signed under the common pressure of the Normandy format, the EU and American partners,” appeared, when Russia came to a “deep crisis with 5 % drop in GDP.” Poroshenko believes that in connection with this situation, the Russian economy is no longer able to finance its affairs.

The ex-president was also asked what he saw in the eyes of Russian leader Vladimir Putin during the meeting in the Normandy format. “I certainly did not see the desire for peace. I saw hatred of Ukraine and Ukrainians,” Poroshenko said.